Can anyone share their journey with luminal B symptoms?

Posted by lesliek808 @lesliek808, Jan 28 12:47pm

Hi all:

I am ER+/PR-/HER2+. I had a mastectomy at age 59 (was not given a choice of lumpectomy because of spread over 1/2 of breast) without reconstruction on the right side in 2023. It grew very quickly since I get mammograms every year like clockwork. No sentinel lymph nodes involved. On exemestane now.

My oncologist never said "Luminal B" but after research, it seems that I have Luminal B cancer which is worst than Luminal A.

Can anyone share their journey with luminal B symptoms? It is classified as more aggressive so worried about recurrence elsewhere. Since I'm Her2+, was given a choice prior to mastectomy to start chemotherapy. Maybe I should have done that.

Thoughts on this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

vegada | @vegada | Jan 29 6:10am

What test show whether you have Luminal A or B breast cancer?

prarysky | @prarysky | Jan 29 12:33pm

As I recall, having a higher Ki-67 level which is determined from your tumor biopsy is one difference between Luminal A (lower Ki-67) and Luminal B (higher Ki-67). A higher Ki-67 can indicate a faster growing cancer. There may be other factors, such as grade of the tumor, which distinguish luminal A vs luminal B.

ewhit802 | @ewhit802 | Jan 30 1:53pm

I’m interested in this question. I discovered information about this on my own. (I have a higher Ki-67 score. Also grade 3 tumor) When I asked my medical oncologist about this she used the term Luminal B and confirmed that it indicates it’s more aggressive but she didn’t explain what that meant in terms of treatment considerations. I’m waiting for a second opinion appointment (wasn’t loving my interactions with the first doctor) and plan to ask more about this. Not all that helpful to you but I will post if I learn anything more useful.

prarysky | @prarysky | Jan 30 4:03pm

A person with higher Ki-67 and tumor grades may qualify for one of the CDK 4/6 inhibitors. They were previously prescribed for patients with metastatic cancer, but now one may qualify if the cancer is deemed more aggressive.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0147027225000625

susielee72 | @susielee72 | Jan 30 8:35pm

I am ER+/PR+/HER2- with the molecular subtype Luminal B. I also had 3 positive axillary lymph nodes. I was initially diagnosed 4/24/24 as stage 2b grade 3 but as of 11/14/25 I am now stage 4 due to metastasis to my sternum and parasternal lymph channel. Agendia is the lab that did the testing on my tumor for the subtype. Although it is a more aggressive cancer, the 5-Year Metastasis-Free Survival with Hormone Therapy + Chemo was
93%. I am currently on Verzenio 150mg twice a day and letrozole. I’ll find out more with my next pet scan on Feb. 16. Hopefully this is somewhat helpful.